Edward Woodward | 'The Equalizer,' 79

Edward Woodward, 79, the star of such films as Breaker Morant and The Wicker Man, died Monday after an illness in Cornwall, England.

Mr. Woodward won an Emmy Award in 1990 for Remembering World War II and a Golden Globe in 1987 for The Equalizer, his signature television show, which ran for 88 episodes from 1985 to 1989 on CBS.

In a career that began in 1946 in a regional production of A Kiss for Cinderella, he played roles in productions ranging from the popular British soap opera Eastenders to productions of Shakespeare, and at least 40 films for theater or television. His last film appearances were in Hot Fuzz in 2007 and Congregation of Ghosts, now in postproduction.

He also recorded several albums.

"I think I've probably done more television than any actor living," Mr. Woodward said in a 1987 interview. "I've done over 2,000 - could be 3,000 now - television productions."

"I suppose there is also the feeling that it is the largest medium by far for information, education, and, above all, entertainment," he added. "And after all, that's what an actor's life is all about. Getting work and entertaining people."

Mr. Woodward is survived by his second wife, actress Michele Dotrice; their daughter; and two sons and a daughter from his first marriage.

- AP